Wow, I guess I'm just a newbie at 57 (most of those years going to Tiki Bars, like the bars places like Lani in San Mateo and Trader Vic's in Oakland) but, WOW.

Bamboo Ben is a genesis and for the life of me I can't understand why all the negative posts here on Tiki Central.

I just joined and really, I'm thinking of rescinding my membership.."
Quote: Longboard

Ohh I get it now,
I take heat because I think the Mai Kai is, was, always will be better than the Kahiki.
Now I love the Kahiki but fact is fact, But that is just my opinion.
Don't know about Kona club.
But it just comes down to ones opinion, and likes dislikes.
I say stay and let Your opinion be known.
Did Ben do your bar?

Longboard,
Bamboo Ben is so well liked he's immortalized in ceramic mug form. Most of us that live in Southern California have something that Bamboo Ben carved, nailed together or painted in their tiki bar.
He's got bamboo running through his bloodline if you look up his family history in the tiki world.

On 2012-11-28 14:13, tikilongbeach wrote:Longboard,
Bamboo Ben is so well liked he's immortalized in ceramic mug form. Most of us that live in Southern California have something that Bamboo Ben carved, nailed together or painted in their tiki bar.
He's got bamboo running through his bloodline if you look up his family history in the tiki world.

Seriously Longboard. Listen to these guys. Come back!! Even Ben posted himself. I like your bar as well. Thats the way my Tiki room kinda is. Its a mix of nautical, asian, and polynesian. Mid-century style . Plus. Its got Bamboo Ben swag. No Tiki bar is complete without something from Ben. Just my opinion. _________________I'll have a Green Lizard please! Tiki-Ti. The Madman!!

That's why I thought Ben did it.
I have seen bars that people do, they look new.
And they are not comfortable, and having a commercial
bar that is uncomfortable is a good way to close soon.
"did ya sit in those uncomfortable seats before you bought em,or try to read
the menu in your way to dark restaurant?" (Not Kona Club, different place)
It's hard to get the right vibe in these places.
And that's why you should pay more for a pro like Ben.
I was going to try to open a tiki place (aren't we all)and was going to fly ben in,
if you want a bar like Frankies ya get the guy who did Frankies.